Impeovement iii bailsoad-switohes



@uitrit tartes datent @Hirn e. L. 'nULANnY AND J. A. KAUrMA-N, or` MEGHANIGSBUBQ PENNSYLVANIA.

y Letters Patent No. 75,741,1f'lated March 24, 186s.

@la .Srlgrtnlttrirtnh in time Miers @tout mit uniting pnt nf tige entre. f

TO'ALL WHOM IT 'MAY CON'CEWRN:I v

Bc it known that we, G. L. DULANEY and J. A. KAUFrniN, of B-Iechanicsburg,'Cumberland county, Pennsylvnnia, have invented newl and useful Improvements in Railroad-Switches; andwe do hereby declare that the following is a. full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making par-t of these specifications. l

Figure 1 represents a top or birds-eye view of the several parts embraced in our improvements in rai1roadswitches. 4

Figure 2 4is an elevated side view of saidimprovemcnts, sh'owing the position of the self-adjusting gravitatingweights, with truck in position on the maintraek.V l 4 Figure 3 is an end view cfa truck V4on the main track, Vshowing the position of the adjusting-rod E at thc moment of being brought into action with the inclined lever B3, in order tha-t `the trackv may be shifted to the right-hand sideling, (see dotted lines iig. 1.) 4

The construction and operation of our improved railroad-switch consists in providing `the adjustable rails a la of the main track with a self-adjusting"gravitating-weight, (sce a2, tig. 2.) Said -weight is suspended on la" fulcrum, D, at any -proper `point beneath, and midway between the ends ofthe two movable rails of the main track by a connecting-rod, c,'said rod connecting, at its upper endwith the bar L, that connects with and carries the switch from one position to another when desired. The rod c is furnished within joint between its full Crum and weight, in order to arrest the shock consequent upou'a sudden movement of the switch. The oilice of said weight, a2, is to hold securely, (when in a vertical position and at rest,) the switch in line with the main track at all times, unlessit is desirable to run in the sidcling. When this is the case, the resistance ofsaid weight is overcome by the action ofthe train and'levers, as hereinafter mentioned.l

Our improvement consists in further providing a. switch with'suitably-arranged and inclined levers B2 B3, with properlyiarranged connecting-rods o o, cite., in order that the switch may be `adjusted by the train o r car, while in motion, without 'the assistance of :rn-extra. switch-tender. The levers B2 B2 are securely bolted to the cross-tie, at the proper .point near the front end of the switch; said levers being connected near their mid-l' die to each end of the cross-bar L. B3 B3 are' elhow-shaped levers, situated and securely bolted at a. peint as remote fr'om thefront end of the switch as the largestl car. 4o o are rods,l connecting the elbow-levers B3 B3 with the crass-bar T that moves theba-r L, carrying with it the rails a a when being adjusted from onel position t0 another, (see Iig. 1.) p

Lu order to provide for greater security, we furnish our improved switch witha selfsadjusting, gravitating, bolting-device, (see figs. 1 and 2.) In the construction of this peculiarly-arranged device, we furnish the bolts 1Dl D with' gravitating-weightsaa. Said weights are suspended to rods attached tothe switch-rails, and pros jccting downwards a suiiicient distance toform 4 thefulcrum for the rod on which the weights are suspendedi These weights are also provided with joints, to arrest any suddcn'ac'tien ofthe train thereon, (se D2., iig. 2.) The upper ends of the rods'onwhich the weights are suspended are provided with an inclined slot. Said slot bearing against pins projecting from the sides of the bolts, (see tig. 2,) .keeps the bolts up a suiiicient distance to allow the switch being adjusted when'desired.

The bolts, as above described, are connected to'the switch-rails by short inclined linksgor bars at such an angle as will insure their depression as soon as the wheels of the train come in contact with the bolts D1 DI,

`iig. 2, thus bringing the bolts down on each side of the stationary rails in front, and substantiallyholding the switch in position during the passage of the -train over the saine. Immediately after the passage of the train the boltsare disengaged, leaving the switch free for adjustment, if desired; the weights bringing them to their proper position, as 4the bolts are intended only to be engaged when the train or car is passing over the switch;

In order to facilitate the labor consequent upon frequent switching on and oit` the sideling, we provide Vsach corner of a locomotive or car with suitably-arranged rods, said rods projcc each car to a point near-the adjusting-levers B3 B3, iig. 3 and iig. 2, and just above the tracllr.- -These rods E are provided at their upperends with any desirable form of sprin running on main track. braces provided therefor.

g, to keep said bolts up and disengaged when -'lheir lower ends are secured in a proper position by suitably-arranged and substantial ting downwards from the platform of When it is found necessary to switch on or off the sideling, all that is necessary on the part of the driver or brakeman, is to press down the rod E with the foot, (see iig. 3,) until it comes in contact with the lever B3, and as the car moves forward, said rod pressing against the inclined lever, causes the switch to move over to the sidelng, (see dotted lines, 1.) The same process is observed in backing out of a. sideling. Press the rod down, when it will come in contact with the lever B2, at the front end of the switch, and cause it to bring the switch to the proper position to run the train out on the main track.

Having fully set forth and described the nature and construction of our improved railrondswitch, whatwe claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, isv 1. The gravitating-weight az, with its jointed connecting-rod and fulerum, in combination with the switch-y rails a a, in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

2. The combination ofthe inclined levers B2 B3, with the rods o o, in the manner nnd for tho purpose herein described.

3. The combination and arrangement of the weights a3, bolts D1 and switch rails a a, in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

G. L. DULANEY, J. A. KAUFMAN. Witnesses:

HENRY HALL, ELI BECK. 

